December 18, 2025 · 8:12 am

Sending 2025 out

Merry Christmas, y’all. I might get long with this one, dunno yet.

Those of you who follow me here know it’s been a minute since I posted here. To be honest, it’s not that I don’t have anything to say (of course I do, right?), but I just haven’t been that motivated because I’ve wanted to say something about Dad passing…but I can’t bring myself to do that.

If you missed that information somewhere else, my dad passed in March of last year (2024). It wasn’t a huge surprise as he was fighting cancer. Still, it left a pretty big hole. I know that I probably let my family down because I couldn’t bring myself to edit and post the Christmas video we’ve been doing since around 2007. Yes, we recorded one last Christmas…I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. (I’m planning to go ahead and finish it up—we haven’t missed a year doing it and I don’t want to be the one to cause that to happen…which I kind of already did anyway…)

So I guess this will be more of a general update than anything…

Job

I’m still teaching at Full Sail. I’m actually working on completing my 15^th year there! IKR! For the most part, I still very much enjoy it as I still get to talk writing and comics with students. Administration did away with our desks and phones a few months back, which still feels like they’re prepping to fire us, but it makes sense as so few of the instructors actually used the desks (it was a “cubby” set-up and was difficult to actually get any work done there). Like many, I pretty much only used my desk on the days I had to come to class to teach—everything else is done online.

Silverline

Silverline is still bopping along at a good clip. We’ve been really hurt by the Diamond bankruptcy as we’ve got two invoices caught up in the bankruptcy, and another three that are still unpaid. For a small press company, FIVE MONTHS of unreceived revenue really hurts. Terribly.

If you’ve followed me on social media at all, you’ve probably seen a steady stream of Silverline posts—campaign announcements, artwork previews, covers, throwbacks, and sometimes just a little behind-the-scenes commentary. Silverline continues to be a passion project and a labor of love, built on the same indy energy that helped fuel the comics boom of the late ’80s and early ’90s.

We’ve been fortunate to have creators—both veterans and new voices—working with us to bring fresh stories to life. And I love being able to show off their work. It’s also fun to connect with readers who love that blend of nostalgia and innovation.

The support on crowdfunding platforms has been encouraging, too. Every time we launch a campaign, I’m reminded that indy comics still matter to people. Readers still want something different, something heartfelt, something crafted by human hands and passion rather than corporate committee.

This past year, I was able to crowdfund Cat & Mouse: Vipers #1, and release Cat & Mouse #1 through Diamond. #2 was never released, but will be rescheduled through Philbo.

Conventions

Another big part of my year has been reconnecting with people at conventions and events. Con floors have a rhythm I’ll never get tired of: the buzz of indy creators, the conversations with readers, the young artists showing portfolios, the vendors who’ve been doing this longer than some attendees have been alive, and the endless parade of cosplay creativity.

Whether it’s a big event like Heroes Con or a smaller show, I always enjoy the chance to talk shop—whether that’s story structure, lettering decisions, what makes a strong page turn, or simply which back issues you should never pass up if you see them in the wild.

It’s also nice to have casual moments at shows where conversations drift from comics to teaching to life and back again. Those exchanges remind me why the indy comics community has survived, adapted, and thrived across decades.

In 2025 I attended: ShadowCon, Brick City Comic Con, Galactic Con, Heroes Con, Daytona Beach Comic Con, Ancient City Con (one day), and Ocala Comic Con (one day).

Fambly!

2025 has been exciting for the Manns. Brett married his longtime love, Jessica, in July in north Georgia in a very beautiful ceremony. The two of them look to be very much in love.

Brittany got engaged (finally), so she and Seth are planning to tie the knot sometime in March. So, who knows? Maybe this time next year I’ll be an expectant grandfather!

BJ stays busy with pickleball, of course, but with her new baking venture. It’s been hit in our community, and it’s been a blast watching her experiment with different things trying to get it all just right.

All in all, it’s been a good year! Hope yours was, too!

Creative update

I am in the midst of writing something about my Dad passing, but I’m not ready to put that out to you all just yet. Instead, just post some updates here on my work.

Trumps

As I noted earlier, February saw the release of TRUMPS #1 nationally (and internationally) and while we haven’t had a LOT of reception, we have had some. In fact, here’s a nice video review. Go give this guy a thumb’s up! https://youtu.be/8cQEVbrdfYI?feature=shared&t=365

TRUMPS #2 came out in April, and #3 is slated for June release, with #4 (final issue) scheduled for August. We’re looking and considering a trade to follow, but haven’t planned that just yet (if you noticed the page numbers on #2, you’ll note we’re thinking ahead).

New crowdfunder

There are two weeks remaining on the crowdfunder I have going right now. https://www.fundmycomic.com/campaign/475/stu2

Some folks have asked why I named it “Silverline Team-Up.” The idea actually belongs to Mike W. Belcher, but I liked it a lot. As we were working on the story that featured The Champion (who had his debut in the early issues of Cat & Mouse vol 1), and Ms. Fury, we just couldn’t come up with a title that sang to all of us. “ChampFury” was our placeholder name when we talked about it among ourselves. Someone even suggested LAWS AND CLAWS, probably knowing how much I like those duo names (Cat & Mouse, Tooth & Nail, Skull & Crossbones). But it just wasn’t clicking.

Mike sent a mock-up cover over with that title and while I chuckled at seeing it, I immediately loved it! I was a huge fan of Marvel Team-Up back in the day. I mean, look at these awesome covers!

It was a way I could see my favorite character, Spider-Man, interact with characters in the Marvel universe, some of whom I was familiar with, and some of whom I was not.

I thought it would be difficult to convince Pete (the penciller), Tommy (inker), and Roberta (colorist) on the title, but they all seemed to enjoy it as much as I did! Thus, Silverline Team-Up was born.

The story started off as a three issue series (already plotted out when we started). But AFTER #1 was complete, Tommy said he and Pete wanted to draw Demon, who was not originally slated to be in the story. Soooo, I had to revise, retool, and rewrite the story. And while I kinda wanted to keep it as surprise, we decided that was impossible to do if we were going to put him on the cover as a way to bring folks in.

Secret: I’ve got another sneaky appearance in issue #3, but it’s a little early to talk about that one yet. But I kinda like the idea that I might retool again, and stick someone else in #4! Ain’t I a stinker?

The story also takes a bit of a turn and tackles a pretty serious subject. Don’t want to give that away until folks have had a chance to read it, but it’s tough.

So, pop on over to the campaign and find a reward you like. If you missed #1, you can grab it there also. If you have problems with the site—it’s a new comic exclusive crowdfunding site—just drop me a line and I’ll help! We were able to get some cool covers of our own!

New comic out in stores and a new crowdfunder

Yes, it’s true! I have a new comic that should be on comic shelves in finer comic shops across the nation today! (some shops might not see it until next Wednesday) I’m happy to announce that the first issue of my mini-series TRUMPS is available. And yes, I’m pretty excited about it. Here’s the cover, so you’ll know what you’re looking for when you visit your local shop:

So, I’m asking a favor of all of you within the sound of my voice who regularly go to comic shops: the next time you’re there, ask them if they have a copy of TRUMPS #1. Let’em know you know the guy who wrote it and you want to see it. Chances are, they might not have it. They’ll offer to order it for you—you can decline, of course, but what that does is put us on their radar. If people are asking for it and they don’t have it, they’re slightly more inclined to order the next issue. You have to let them know it’s published by Silverline Comics, an independent comic publisher!

Beah #2

And while we’re talking new stuff, we just launched the crowdfund campaign for the second issue of BEAH. The first issue went over really well as folks were enamored with Haley’s art—well, wait until you see #2. You can find it here if you are so inclined to back it: http://www.silverlinecomicscrowdfunder.com (or click on the image below)

Broken hand

If you follow me on social media anywhere, you probably know that I broke my hand. Ouch! Yes, it hurts. Check out my x-ray. They called it a boxer’s break. I’ve been using Word’s “dictation” function, and it actually does pretty good with my accent. There are a few things I just couldn’t get it to understand.

I needed something primarily because one of the key components of my daily job is responding to students and their work. 99% of those responses are typed! Typing with a brace is extremely difficult because this particular brace hits the right enter or shift bar anytime I try to type something with my right hand. I return to the doctor tomorrow to see if I need a pin. It would seem my pinky is now curving on closure a little-it’s trying to duck under my ring finger when I close it. Tomorrow, I guess we’ll see just how big an issue that actually is!

Anyway…thanks for reading along my journey… I hope and trust you are all well!